Hyperkalemia

What is hyperkalemia?

True hyperkalemia is described as increased potassium level in the blood. People at risk are those with renal failure, especially if they have a high dietary potassium intake or are taking additional medication that may predispose a person to develop hyperkalemia.

Severe hyperkalemia is a life threatening because it can cause EKG changes such as ventricular arrhythmias. It can also cause skeletal muscle weakness, even to the point of paralysis and respiratory failure.